It's been more than 30 years since cinema-goers were introduced to renowned theater director André Gregory in Louis Malle's "My Dinner With André," an extended conversation highlighting the friendship between Gregory and actor Wallace Shawn.

"André Gregory: Before and After Dinner" is a personal profile of another kind. Made by Gregory's second wife, Cindy Kleine ("Phyllis and Harold"), it's a love letter to the aging artist. Kleine shoots her husband in everyday life and balances that footage with their history together and apart.

"Before and After Dinner" is touching and inspiring, celebrating a creative fervor that hasn't been dulled by age. On the contrary, Gregory's race against mortality has only made him more passionate.

While the notoriously gory 1973 Italian slasher flick "Torso" does have what one might generally call a plot, if we're being honest, its narrative outline is mainly predicated on opportunities to show breasts and blood. The twisted story dispenses with as many red herrings as it does red squibs, and the fakeness of the old-school effects has an intentional cheesiness that's surprisingly creepy. "Torso" is by no means good, but it's certainly a filthy pleasure.

"PANDORA'S PROMISE" Starts Friday, Fox Tower

Political and environmental documentaries must do decent business; there seems to be a new one every week. Most tend to reinforce what their mostly liberal audience already believes, making it a bit of a shock to find one that challenges accepted norms.

Robert Stone ("Earth Days") knew exactly what he was doing in creating "Pandora's Promise." The pro-nuclear energy film begins by introducing a parade of environmentalists who have changed their tune on atomic power.

From there, "Pandora's Promise" sets out to explain why, debunking accepted "truths" about nuclear energy and making a case for an irradiated future. Sure, it's a little one-sided, but so are most of the environmental films out there. Whether Stone sways you or not, you can afford to give 90 minutes toward setting the balance right.